L.v. Leaders Back Candidate Hunt

The 16 Allentown-Lehigh County Chamber of Commerce leaders who signed a letter to recruit city political candidates represent a cross-section of the political and business community.

Those signing include two prominent Democrats, Jane Wells Schooley and Watson Skinner, and two prominent Republicans, Charles Snelling and David Bausch. Also included are the heads of small and large businesses.

"I feel real positive about the direction this is taking now," said Martha Phelps, president of the chamber.

The chamber drafted the letter as a way to recruit candidates for mayor and council.

The letter represents the seventh draft, Phelps said. Earlier drafts had created a more negative image of the city, an attempt to prompt people to run who might improve the city.

"We felt there wasn't a lot to gain by painting a gloomy picture," she said.

The letter says: "Our goal is to help energize the city with a team of capable, honest individuals jointly committed to the vitality and viability of Allentown in a fiscally responsible and all-inclusive manner.

Following is a list of those who signed the letter and their affiliations: Skinner, former council president; Thomas Costa, Mountainview Manor; Jack Miers, concerned citizen; George Kistler Jr., Kistler-O'Brien Fire Protection; Jack Greenblat, Baral Investment Co.; Dorothy Roth, concerned citizen; Charles Snelling, The Snelling Company.

Three other names are on the letter without signatures. They reportedly authorized their names to be on it, but were not available to sign it: Samuel Costa, Mountainview Manor; Samuel Huston, president, Lehigh Valley Hospital; and Roland Sigal, concerned citizen.

The letter is being sent to about 1,800 chamber members.

The chamber plans to hold a press conference tomorrow to further explain its recruitment process.